Improvement in processes of making oakum



UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

CHARLES M. WINTER, OF KANKAKEE, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM E. GEER, OF CHICAGO,ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN PROCESSES OF MAKING OAKUlVl.

Specification forming part of LettersPatent No. 195,684. dated September25, 1877; application filed February 17, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES M. WINTER, of Kankakee, in the county ofKankakee and State of Illinois, have invented a new and Improved Processof Making Oakum, of which the following is a specification:

In making oakum by my process new fiber is used, either flax, hemp, orother similar fibers, any of which are saturated with a solution made ofsal-soda or similar alkali, lime, pine-tar, and asphaltum, with water asa solvent. After the fiber is thus saturated it is passed through a weaksolution made from muriatic or other like acid and water, which cleansesit from the soda and lime, and leaves the tar and asphaltum in thefiber. It is then dried and finished by carding.

These solutions contain about one pound of sal-soda or similar alkali,one-half pound of lime, nine pounds of pine-tar, and three pounds ofasphaltum to three gallons of waterthe acid solution, about five percent. of acid and ninety-five per cent. water.

I do not claim the special use of flax, hemp, or other fibers, or of taror asphaltum in the manufacture of oakum, for they have been used; nordo I claim the use of sal-soda or similar alkali and lime otherwise thanas agents for cutting and holding in solution the tar and asphaltum forthis particular purpose; uor the acid, except for the use as abovespecified.

The object of my invention is to prepare a good article of oakum cheaplyfrom new, strong fiber, with a cheap safe solution or process, withoutusing as solvents kerosene, benzine, or other like expensive anddangerous oils.

I claim as my invention The process of making oakum by using a solventmade from sal-soda or similar alkali and lime, dissolved in water, forcutting and holding in solution the tar and asphaltum with which thefiber is saturated, and the cleansing of said fiber with the acidsolution, substantially as specified.

CHARLES M. WINTER.

Witnesses:

J. E. LANGLOIS, Oris DURFEE.

